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Investigations

Former Bridge Inspector Suspended by the Federal Highway Administration

On April 16, 2014, the Federal Highway Administration suspended and proposed the debarment of Barry Purnell in response to charges filed against him by the State of Connecticut. Purnell was charged with larceny related to the falsification of his education and engineering credentials that were furnished to engineering firms in order to gain employment. Purnell subsequently worked as a bridge inspector on multiple American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and other state funded construction projects.

In March 2014, based on our investigation, Purnell surrendered to the Connecticut Chief State's Attorney's office. The investigation determined that while seeking employment, Purnell had falsified his application materials to various engineering firms to include his engineering certifications and college education. In a December 2013 interview with case agents, Purnell acknowledged falsifying his application materials and fabricating his college diploma.